Attractions
Going old school: Illinois Bend school house
By Shannon Gillette
As with most rural Texas communities, Illinois Bend was known by several other names before receiving an official title when granted a Post Office in 1877. It had previously been known as Wardville and Maxville. Located in the bend of the Red River in the northeast section of Montague County, with fertile river bottom land, it seemed like the ideal place for the original settlers to put down roots. However, an Indian raid in1863 all but wiped out the newly formed community. Those who survived decided to move on to a more populated and safer area. The area remained mostly unsettled for a few years. Then once the threat of marauding Indians had somewhat diminished, a new group of brave settlers made this place their home.
By the 1890s, Illinois Bend was a thriving community. Cotton was king, and tenant farmers moved into the area, swelling the population. A ferry taxied people across the mighty Red River. Later a bridge was constructed to handle the traffic between Illinois Bend and the Indian Territory.
The Dowd, Fleming, Williams, Frazier and Masten families settled in Illinois Bend. Along with the Post Office, several other businesses were in operation by this time, including a hotel, a gin and a grocery store. The two major missing components to the community were a church and a school. Both were conducted in private homes, but neither had a permanent structure dedicated to pubic or religious education. The local Masonic Lodge was responsible for fulfilling these needs.
To read more pick up the January 2015 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
It’s already March and the smell of springtime parties and special events is in the air.
Everybody knows in order to have a great party, you’ve got to have the right music.
Well, that’s where my friend Katie Dieter comes to the rescue.
Katie, aka DJ KD “The Spinner,” has been spinning the right mix for parties and special events throughout North Texas for years now. Her passion for music helps to make your special event one your friends will never forget. Whether you’re planning a wedding, banquet, school event or just a backyard get-together with friends, DJ KD “The Spinner” is the right call for you.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Seems lately these days Texas is becoming the envy of musicians from around the world.
With the overwhelming response to “Yellowstone,” the television series, Texas once again finds itself under the microscope of the world, much like the late 1980’s TV series know to all around the globe as “Dallas.”
With that said, the musician population in Texas is beginning to grow as many aspiring performers turn their sights on Texas instead of Nashville. Meet my newly-found friend and fellow musician Grace Partridge. This youthful 19 year old has recently made Texas her new home. She began fiddling at age four in Rigby, Idaho. Grace worked her way through the National Fiddle championships in Weiser, Idaho, becoming a five-time national champion. She’s even played on the Grand Ole Opry. Still yet, her desire to become a true Texas Fiddler has brought her to the Lone Star State. I’m pretty sure we can thank Bob Wills for that.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January 2024 issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
On Nov. 4, 2023, the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra will present an evening of Texas Cowboy, Country and Western Swing with yours truly, Dave Alexander and the fabulous Quebe Sisters.
Enjoy the music of Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, Gene Autry and many more of your Texas Music favorites performed with a full symphony orchestra. We also will feature music from my latest CD, “From The Saddle To Symphony Hall,” along with some of my own compositions. It is guaranteed to be a night to remember.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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